Mar 7, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay (right) announces that quarterback Peyton Manning (left) will be released and become a free agent during a press conference at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos head coach John Fox wasn’t too thrilled about comments Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay made about Peyton Manning recently. Basically, Irsay said that the move was made because Peyton Manning told him he’d be stupid not to draft Andrew Luck.
That painted Manning as a benevolent team guy till the very end knowing the team needed to make that move for the betterment of the franchise, even though it might not be what he wanted. That arguably made it a lot easier for Irsay to release Manning then.
Then Irsay added what John Fox called a ‘cheap shot.’
“We’ve changed our model a little bit, because we wanted more than one of these [Super Bowl rings]. [Tom] Brady never had consistent numbers, but he has three of these. Pittsburgh had two, the Giants had two, Baltimore had two and we had one. That leaves you frustrated.
“You make the playoffs 11 times, and you’re out in the first round seven out of 11 times. You love to have the Star Wars numbers from Peyton and Marvin [Harrison] and Reggie [Wayne]. Mostly, you love this.”
Irsay responded to that last night on Twitter, but he wasn’t done. He is tweeting again today and taking shots at ESPN’s Chris Mortensen as well.
My comments meant if we gave Peyton better SP Teams n Def,we would have won more than 1 Sup/Bowl,instead of asking Peyton 2do too much
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 16, 2013
It’s hard 2C how any individual could understand them any other way,but CONTRO sells so I understand the games “Let’s get something started” — Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 16, 2013
Greatest QB of their era,which is obviously Brady vs Peyton(my vote’s Peyton),at least now the media will NOT use Sup/Bowl wins n debate!!
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 16, 2013
In that debate,the clock will spin swiftly back to October,2013…and theIr middle name will quickly endure a hyphen to add hypocrite 2 name — Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 16, 2013
Chris Mortensen,I don’t recall you being on that flight from Miami to Indy when Peyton said..” You can’t pass on Luck” I accept your apology
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 16, 2013
As far as your irresponsibility,that’s disappointing because your assumption that you were privy to all of Peyton and my conversations — Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 16, 2013
(Cont)Irresponsible n misleading/ Come on.. you’re better than that,Chris
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 16, 2013
Prelude 2 what I was talking about-ORGANIZATIONAL Model n Team building/discussed with J Bell; we committed 70% of cap on Offense n some yrs — Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 16, 2013
Mortensen responded too.
Thanks for watching @JimIrsay! You already made mind up to release Peyton at that point; jet ride was headed to Indy for farewell presser
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 16, 2013
